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How to Identify Tourmaline

According to gemstone resource Galleries.com, the precious mineral commonly known as "tourmaline" is actually a family of different minerals that have similar enough properties to be classified under the same name. As such, there is no single identifying criterion for a stone of this grouping. Alternatively, you must analyze several different aspects of your gem to determine which of the five main tourmaline variants it is.

Instructions

- 1
  Take note of any colors your see in your tourmaline. Each of the four main groupings of tourmaline--"elbaite," "schorl," "dravite" and "uvite"--display unique coloring. While the latter three tend to be black, brown and green, respectively, "elbaite" is the most colorful of all gemstones, according to galleries.com.
- 2
  Assess your tourmaline's relative transparency (or lack thereof) if its color is not well-defined. While elbaites and dravites tend to run from translucent to completely transparent, schorls and uvites are opaque, which means light generally can't pass through them.
- 3
  Contact the person from whom you bought the tourmaline if you can't identify which class it comes from on your own. If he sells large portions of tourmaline, he might be able to give you more information about your stone. Additionally, you may compare your stone against others of his and be able to see further differences.

Fossil Collecting